Chapter 15: Chased into the Valley
1525 Words
“Grandpa, Grandma!”
“I’m back!”
At Shankou Village, Liu Yuan, carrying his backpack, hadn't even reached his home before he started shouting. It had been over a month since he last saw his grandparents, and he wondered how they were doing.
“You're back?”
Grandpa and Grandma were both at home. Hearing Liu Yuan’s voice, they happily came out to greet him.
“Grandpa, you've gained weight! Grandma, you look younger!”
Liu Yuan carefully looked at his grandparents.
Grandpa, who had been extremely thin due to cancer, now seemed like a different person. His face was rosier, he had a lot of energy, and most notably, he had gained weight and no longer looked frail.
As for Grandma, she no longer needed her cane. Her complexion was healthy, her body strong, and her once cloudy eyes had become clear and bright. Her dry white hair had turned black again.
Liu Yuan was ecstatic; the life restoration device was truly miraculous. His grandparents' health had genuinely improved.
“Haha, of course I’ve gained weight. I don’t know how, but both your grandma and I got better overnight. Not only do we not feel sick anymore, but our appetites have also increased. We can now eat three big bowls of food in one sitting. It's like we've returned to our younger days.”
Grandpa laughed heartily. With his improved health, he was able to work more efficiently.
“I’ve been thinking of going out soon, finding work on the construction site with your Uncle Pan to earn more money for you. You'll need a lot of money for college next year, and later on, for getting married. We used to have no choice, but now that we’re healthy, I can’t let you collect garbage and do construction work anymore.”
“Grandpa, there's no need. I can make money on my own. I’ll figure out my tuition fees. As long as you and Grandma take care of yourselves, I’ll be at ease.”
Hearing that his grandfather wanted to work on a construction site, Liu Yuan quickly tried to dissuade him. Working on a construction site was exhausting, especially for someone his grandfather's age. His health had just improved and still needed nurturing. It wasn't an option.
“Silly child, do you think your grandpa is still the same as before?”
“Look, I can easily carry this load of grain. I’m in great shape now.”
“You don’t need to worry. Just study hard and aim for a good university next year. If you succeed, we’ll be content, even if we were to die.”
Grandpa easily lifted a load of grain and spoke with ease.
Looking at his grandson, Grandpa couldn't help but get emotional, tears welling up in his eyes. Life had been so hard. He didn’t mind his own suffering, but seeing Liu Yuan suffer, growing up without parents and with sickly grandparents, was too much.
“Don’t worry, Grandpa. I will get into a good university and make you proud!”
Liu Yuan confidently said as he helped his grandparents with the load.
“Good, good~”
“We’re counting on you~”
Grandma smiled happily and hurried off to prepare food for Liu Yuan. This time, they even killed one of their chickens to make soup for him.
Liu Yuan helped his grandpa with the grain. Afterward, he chopped wood for cooking, as they couldn’t afford gas and had to use a traditional stove.
At the entrance of Shankou Village, a red off-road Mercedes Benz arrived. Dong Feifei checked the navigation, confirming the location. She looked at the village sign and felt relieved.
“Finally here. It’s so remote.”
She got out of the car, curiously looking around the small village, finding everything novel. Growing up in the city, this was her first time visiting such a remote rural area alone.
“Grandpa, do you know where Liu Yuan lives?”
“Liu Yuan? He lives in the last house in the village. It's the only brick house left. You’ll find it easily.”
She asked an elderly man who pointed her in the right direction, and she drove straight to Liu Yuan’s home.
“Seriously? He still lives in a brick house? What era is this?”
Looking at the old brick house, Dong Feifei was taken aback. It looked like something out of a movie from the '60s or '70s.
“Little girl, who are you looking for?”
Liu Yuan’s grandmother came out, hearing the car, and asked, looking at the stylish, beautiful Dong Feifei.
“Grandma, I’m looking for Liu Yuan. Does he live here?”
“Yes, Liu Yuan is chopping wood behind the house. I’ll call him for you.”
Grandma said, preparing to go get Liu Yuan.
“I’ll go with you!”
Dong Feifei eagerly followed, wanting to see Liu Yuan immediately.
Soon, they reached the back of the house. On a small clearing, Liu Yuan was chopping wood. He was wielding the axe with his right hand while placing the wood with his left. With each swing, the wood was split effortlessly. He was quick and efficient.
Sweating from the work, he had taken off his jacket and was wearing a simple vest. The gene optimization had not only made Liu Yuan handsome but had also given him a perfect physique.
As he worked, his muscles stood out, and his eight-pack abs were impressive. He exuded a strong masculine aura that left Dong Feifei mesmerized.
“Liu Yuan, someone’s here to see you!”
Grandma called out, snapping Dong Feifei back to reality, her cheeks turning red.
“Who is it?”
Liu Yuan put down the axe and looked up, seeing Dong Feifei.
“Ah!”
Liu Yuan was also taken aback. They had only met once while having supper, yet here she was at his home.
“Haha, surprised to see me?”
“I told you I could find you even if you didn’t give me your address.”
Seeing Liu Yuan looking at her, Dong Feifei, feeling both shy and excited, walked over to him, paying no mind to the tall grass that might ruin her expensive skirt.
“How did you find my house?”
Liu Yuan was baffled. She had messaged him saying she would visit during the National Day holiday, but he hadn’t expected her to actually come and find his home.
“GPS. I followed the navigation.”
“Your abs look amazing. Can I touch them?”
Dong Feifei stared at Liu Yuan, not minding his sweat, and, if anything, feeling even more drawn to him. She couldn’t help but reach out to touch his abs.
“What are you doing?”
Liu Yuan quickly dodged, flustered. It was broad daylight, and his grandma was right there.
“Haha, just wanted to see how your abs feel.”
Blushing, Dong Feifei noticed Grandma nearby and felt even more embarrassed. She pretended to look around and said, “Since I’m here, aren’t you going to invite me to sit down?”
“How do you think they were made? By hard work.”
“Come on, let’s sit at the front. There’s a lot of grass here that might tear your skirt.”
Liu Yuan sighed. The gene optimization liquid had too many side effects. He kept attracting women, and now she had chased him to his home.
He led Dong Feifei to the front yard, set up two chairs, and they sat down.
“We’re poor, only have plain water.”
He boiled a pot of water and poured her a cup in a porcelain bowl.
“You know, sitting here, enjoying the time is quite nice. Compared to the hustle and bustle of the city, the peace of the countryside is quite appealing.”
Dong Feifei moved her chair closer to Liu Yuan, enjoying his presence and the tranquility of the village.
“If you have money, anywhere is nice. Without money, life is hard everywhere.”
Liu Yuan looked into the distance, shaking his head.
“Are you in need of money? I can help you.”
Hearing this, Dong Feifei felt a pang of sympathy for Liu Yuan, having learned about his situation.
“No, I’ll earn it myself. Besides, no man wants to live off a woman’s money. That’s not right.”
Liu Yuan firmly shook his head.
“Haha, that’s true. But I’m willing, I’d do anything for you.”
Dong Feifei was captivated by Liu Yuan’s determination.
Since their first meeting, Liu Yuan had been on her mind constantly. She couldn’t forget him, feeling tormented by his absence. Despite everything, she had driven here during the National Day holiday just to see him again.
Now, sitting together, talking, she couldn’t help but express her true feelings.
“Uh…”
Liu Yuan scratched his head, not knowing how to respond.
“What a fool, an i***t~”
Dong Feifei couldn’t help but curse him internally. But looking at Liu Yuan, she still felt an urge to get closer to him.
- Writer
